Godfrey Way Mitchell
Sir Godfrey Way Mitchell (31 October 1891 – 9 December 1982) was a construction engineer and entrepreneur who built up George Wimpey into a thriving business.
Career
Born in Peckham and educated at Haberdashers' Aske's School at Hatcham, Godfrey Mitchell joined Rowe & Mitchell, his father's quarrying business on Alderney on leaving school.[1] He was given a temporary commission in the Royal Engineers in 1916 and served in France.[1]
On demobilisation he returned to England and acquired George Wimpey turning it from a small construction company into a thriving business that exploited the need for new housing after World War I.[1] He was Chairman of the Company from 1930 to 1973 and Life President from 1973 until his death.[1]
A keen amateur cricketer, he also served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Paviors in 1948.[1]
Godfrey Mitchell was knighted in 1948.[2] In 1957 he became a member of the Restrictive Practices Court.[3]
He died in Beaconsfield in 1982.[1]
Family
In 1929 he married Doreen Lilian and together they went on to have two daughters.[1]
He was the uncle of Nobel Prize winner Peter D. Mitchell.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Godfey Way Mitchell at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- ^ Cornbank
- ^ "No. 41067". The London Gazette. 10 May 1957.